Authentic Patriotism : How to Restore America's Ideals---Without Losing Our Tempers or Our Minds

A provocative, inspiring account of our neglected American ideals and the people who are living them today--and restoring our nation's dream

Patriotism has become a loaded word: one that is wielded against people with whom we might disagree, or whose cultural origins don't match our own.

But our founding fathers--Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and others--saw patriotism as a dynamic force: an act of service, in an evolving nation that defined its purpose by offering all people a better way of life.

In Authentic Patriotism, author and award-winning journalist Stephen P. Kiernan explores the original ideals that have been lost in our current climate, where war and economic turmoil have eroded our sense of civic obligation. Kiernan describes "a nation adrift," out of touch with its origins--and then introduces a range of inspiring people who have revived our national purpose by taking action:

- The out-of-work college graduate who led an economic and environmental renewal of her blighted home community.

- The retired executive who pioneered a revolutionary concept in health care for people without insurance.

- The minister who created a legendary choir, with the goal of uniting children of different races, genders, and classes in one voice.

- The family who donated their daughter's heart, so that another might live.

These and other "New Americans" are profiled in a book that offers hope, ideas, examples, and practical resources for readers who want to renew the American spirit.

“A good-hearted and hardheaded appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews

“From retiree Jack McConnell in South Carolina to Majora Carter in the South Bronx, Americans who brought real change to their communities have maintained a great nation while our institutions failed us. Authentic Patriotism is the story of those people whom you have never heard of, but who are most responsible for the greatness of America.” —Howard Dean

“Authentic Patriotism is poignant, powerful, and deeply inspiring. It reminded me of something we all tend to forget in the maelstrom of partisan politics and corporate bureaucracies: A single, ordinary person still can make a difference – and single, ordinary people are doing precisely that every day. This is an absolutely terrific book.” —Chris Bohjalian, author of Midwives, The Double Bind, and Secrets of Eden